Work is progressing on the Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System (ISICS) project across Carroll County as supervisors enter into lease agreements and discuss construction at tower sites. Consultant, Rey Freeman with RFCC, LLC, provided an update and the board approved the leases with the City of Manning and FTC Tower Co. LLC who owns the tower west of Coon Rapids. This is the location that will also need a 10-foot by 12-foot structure to house equipment. Freeman says their best option is to look at a used building that can be moved to a prepared site.
The used shelters run about $18,000 plus the cost of transportation and to place it on the pad. The units have two self-contained heating and cooling systems and are wired with breaker panels. Freeman asked for permission to purchase one of these two buildings and have it held until the Coon Rapids site is ready, as right now, the prices are in line with estimates.
There is some work that also needs to be done on the county’s newly purchased Lanesboro tower site. There is a pre-existing concrete block building, but it is not usable as is.
They also plan to repair the eaves and clean and paint the exterior. In addition, they will insulate the interior and put up plywood walls. Most local contractors were too busy to take on this project, and only one proposal was received.
Because there is no electricity yet at the site, all work will be done by generator, adding to the difficulty and the cost. The contractor will provide some references, and if those are in good order, the county will give the go ahead to start construction. They have also entered into an agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) to use two towers at no cost; one by Templeton and the other in Carroll. Freeman also presented a proposal for county dispatcher and a “train the trainer” training for radio users. Communications Supervisor and 911 Coordinator, Jason Hoffman, says they are hoping to have the system ready for testing yet this fall, while leaves are still on the trees and crops still in the ground as that is when the most significant interference occurs.
